The Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resources field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities dependent on viable fish and wildlife populations.  Each day, WDFW employees facilitate fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors.  WDFW’s employees–field and laboratory biologists, geneticists, research scientists, hatchery professionals, policy experts, fully commissioned law enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians, property acquisition specialists, customer service representatives and others work throughout the state.  WDFW employees protect and restore critical habitat, strive to facilitate species recovery when necessary, and manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species.  WDFW employees maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands. They interpret, apply and enforce state and federal laws and collaborate with stakeholders to protect fish and wildlife resources. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission.  Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov

We are currently recruiting for a full-time permanent Biologist 3 position stationed in the Kelso Office at 804 Allen St, Kelso, WA  98626.  Anticipated start date is July 1, 2018.

This position serves as a monitoring and research supervisor in the Fish Ecology and Life Cycle Monitoring (ELC) Unit in the Fish Science Division. The ELC Unit uses a life cycle monitoring framework to assess the status of wild salmon and steelhead populations and identify threats and limiting factors with respect to management and recovery goals.  Impacts of hatchery produced salmon and steelhead is one of the identified threats for wild populations, resulting in recent changes to hatchery programs and new associated monitoring requirements. This position oversees a mixture of long-term monitoring and short-term research studies that inform understanding of wild and hatchery salmon and steelhead interactions and contribute to hatchery reform actions. The incumbent will supervise long-term life cycle monitoring activities on the Kalama and Coweeman rivers, conduct studies to estimate hatchery influence on natural salmon and steelhead populations, and serve on an interdisciplinary team to implement requirements under the Mitchell Act Biological Opinion, including coordinating the development of hatchery broodstock programs. This position plans, organizes, and directs field and laboratory research and produces annual reports, peer-review manuscripts, and oral presentations that describe project outcomes.

Questions regarding the position and job responsibilities should be directed to hiring supervisor: Mara Zimmerman, mara.zimmerman@dfw.wa.gov 

• Oversee operation and data collection from juvenile traps, including screw traps or fence weirs.
• Oversee operation and data collection from adult trap at Kalama Falls Hatchery and adult surveys (foot and snorkel).
• Oversee implementation of mark-recaptures studies.
• Develop study protocols and oversee process of data quality assurance-quality control.
• Maintain project data in normalized agency databases (e.g., JMX, TWS).
• Work collaboratively with staff in the WDFW Hatchery Division, WDFW Fish Science Division, and WDFW Region 5.

Serve on interdisciplinary team responsible for implementation of monitoring actions and hatchery reform associated with the Mitchell Act Biological Opinion

• Serve as knowledge base on hatchery-wild steelhead interaction studies for the interdisciplinary team, including knowledge of historical data and results from the Kalama Steelhead Research program.
• Develop data summaries, graphical presentation, and write sections of planning documents for broodstock and monitoring activities associated with the MA BiOp.
• Contribute to the development of the Kalama early winter steelhead program, including finalization of broodstock plan and protocols.
• Oversee research studies to address information gaps associated with the implementation of the MA BiOp (future work).
• Work collaboratively with staff in the WDFW Hatchery Division, WDFW Fish Science Division, and WDFW Region 5.

Analyze data, prepare written annual reports, and develop and deliver oral presentations.

• Use statistical principles and ecological framework to estimate fish abundance and biological characteristics, fishery and hatchery impacts on fish populations, environmental impacts on fish populations, and other selected study objectives.
• Prepare written annual reports and peer-review manuscripts that describe project results and meet contractual obligations.
• Develop and deliver oral presentations describing project outcomes to a variety of audiences at local workshops and professional meetings.

Oversee administration of team activities, including supervision of technical staff to achieve project objectives.

• Hire, train, and direct technical staff to follow project protocols.
• Ensure subordinates are informed of goals, policies, and regulations within the unit, Division, and Department.
• Counsel and settle employee conflicts, enlisting help of supervisor when necessary.
• Manage project budgets, inform supervisor of any anticipated issues.
• Secure required permits and agreements from regulatory agencies and landowners and oversee reporting associated with these permissions.
• Purchase, organize, and maintain project equipment, following agency purchasing and inventory requirements.

Working Conditions
This position is stationed in Kelso, WA.  The incumbent will work in an office or field environment, on a seasonal basis.   Work in an office environment will be 5-day, 40 hour/week schedule. The incumbent has regular interactions with local, state, and federal, agencies as well as landowners and local fishers.
Incumbent should have a valid Washington driver’s license. Incumbent should acquire and maintain a valid first-aid and CPR training card. Incumbent should acquire and maintain agency snorkel certification.  Incumbent should complete the MOCC or equivalent boating safety class.

Work in the field environment include long periods of field activity and includes some night and weekend work.  Familiarity with juvenile and adult trapping equipment and survey methods is essential for this position. Field work may include hiking, walking, and snorkeling streams in inclement weather and sampling in cold, harsh, isolated conditions, including lifting and carrying 30 lbs. of equipment on long hikes. Tools used in this position include drills, nut runner, saws, backpack electrofisher, PIT tag applicator, PIT interrogation systems (hand-held and instream arrays), coded-wire tag machine, temperature loggers and downloading equipment, and snorkeling gear.

Union
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP).  As a condition of employment you must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representational or other fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.

The preferred candidate must have work experience with the following:
Familiarity with salmon and steelhead ecology
Knowledge of adult and juvenile population assessment methods
Knowledge of fish management in Washington State, including hatchery reform and salmon recovery actions
Familiarity with juvenile and adult fish traps; operational experience is preferred
Experience conducting statistical analysis and familiarity with associated computer programs/languages (e.g., R).
Experience with relational databases, including use of Microsoft Access
Strong written and oral communication skills

A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (generic cover letter will not be accepted)

A current resume (please make it succinct)

Three professional references (personal references do not count as professional)

Please note:  Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification.  E-mailed documents will not be accepted in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile.
Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e-mail.  You will then be notified via e-mail of your status during the process.  In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov.  Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online process and avoid calling for information.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.  Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.